Executive
Summary
Mace Hartley
Executive Director
It’s hard to believe it’s December already. Another
year has passed and whilst we prepare ourselves
for a well-earned break for Christmas & New
Year, it’s very easy to already cast our minds
towards the challenges for 2019.
For many of you the New Year may present an
increased work load, a change of role and/or
organisation or even just maintaining the status
quo. Whatever the case we want to wish you the
best of luck and that you might continue to grow,
develop and thrive in your professional working
environment.
In 2019 the Australasian Fleet Management
Association will continue to educate and advocate
change throughout the fleet and automotive
industry through education, innovation and
showcasing new technology. We have been
encouraged by the thousands of people from the
automotive and fleet industries that have engaged
with AfMA this year through the hundreds of
articles published on afma.net.au, the educational
pieces in this very e-magazine FleetDrive, as well
as through our LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and
Youtube social media channels.
This final issue for 2018 presents a mixed bag
of bite sized and feature length content that will
assist you and your team to keep abreast of
changes within the industry. These exciting new
developments could affect your future vehicle
purchases as well as the day-to-day running of
your operations, so it is as important as ever to
stay up to date. Our special “12 Days of Fleet-
mas” feature – while somewhat lighter in tone – is
stacked full of useful suggestions, tips and hacks
that cover a variety of issues for fleet managers
and others within the automotive sector.
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ISSUE 14 2018 / WWW.AFMA.NET.AU
We are also keen to share with you updates
on what the next 12 months might represent
for electric vehicles (EVs) in particular. AfMA
was delighted to take part in a test drive day
in October that featured a huge variety of EVs
at Albert Park Lake. For the Australian market,
first deliveries of Tesla’s Model 3 will commence
in 2019 and there is little doubt this electric
vehicle will be sought after by many including the
novated leasing segment, although the delivery
waiting times may dampen the enthusiasm.
Hyundai and Renault are also doing great
things in the electric space with the Ioniq, Kona,
Kangoo and Zoe models whilst Nissan’s second-
generation Leaf is soon to arrive. Moreover,
it is exciting to see 5 EV’s with different fit for
purposes around the $50,000 even if support
at a federal government level for appropriate
infrastructure and subsidies remains stagnant.
This issue also recognises the contributions of
those who attended and spoke at our 2018
Professional Development Forums right across
Australia and NZ, along with our premier
Australasian Fleet Conference and Exhibition
back in May. We look forward to 2019 and
ask you to pencil May 22 - May 24 into your
diaries for an expanded conference that will now
include a safety field day on May 22 which will
incorporate low emissions test drives and active
safety demonstrations. Next year’s conference
will also feature the Fleet Awards on the evening
of May 23, where we will highlight and recognise
leaders and innovators within the fleet space.
We continue to see our annual conference as an
exciting chance for newcomers and our regulars
to connect with some of the industry’s leading
players and stakeholders. Our exhibitor’s hall
is again set to be home to a variety of experts